"Representing Interests in the European Community"

Abstract

This paper examines the forecasts of early models of European integration that European federations would play a central role in decision-making at the supranational level. It was expected that national interest groups and companies would prefer to lobby EC institutions via these 'Euro-groups' and that this process would be stimulated by EC officials. Drawing on evidence from several industrial sectors, this paper reflects upon these expectations in the light of recent evidence that companies prefer to adopt multiple strategies when lobbying the EC, and that European federations of national groups are being replaced by new types of Euro-group. The paper suggests that it is increasingly difficult--and perhaps artificial--to draw lines between Euro group lobbying and other forms of lobbying.